U.S. patent application number 11/679502 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for mobile webcasting of multimedia and geographic position for a real-time web log.
Invention is credited to John Wesley Greer, David Michael Rheingold, Nico Toutenhoofd.
Application Number | 20070204014 11/679502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38445337 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070204014 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greer; John Wesley ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Mobile Webcasting of Multimedia and Geographic Position for a
Real-Time Web Log
Abstract
Systems and methods for mobile webcasting of multimedia and
geographic position for a real-time web log are described. In one
aspect, the systems and methods capture multimedia at multiple
consecutive geographical locations during a web logging session.
The systems and methods also acquire geographical position data
corresponding to multiple geographical positions or locations where
the multimedia was and is currently being captured. The systems and
methods communicate the multimedia and geographical position data
to a central server to update webpage(s) of a web site. An end-user
interfacing with a web site browser application accesses the
webpage(s) for real-time presentation of the multimedia and
geographical position data.
Inventors: |
Greer; John Wesley;
(Boulder, CO) ; Rheingold; David Michael; (New
York, NY) ; Toutenhoofd; Nico; (Boulder, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEE & HAYES, PLLC
421 W. RIVERSIDE AVE, STE 500
SPOKANE
WA
99201
US
|
Family ID: |
38445337 |
Appl. No.: |
11/679502 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60743377 |
Feb 28, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/40 20190101;
G01S 5/0027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/219 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: capturing, by a
portable computing device, multimedia at multiple consecutive
geographical locations during a web logging session; acquiring, by
a GPS component, geographical position data corresponding to at
least a subset of the multiple consecutive geographical locations;
communicating at least the multimedia and the geographical position
data to a central server for updating webpage(s) of a web site; and
wherein the webpage(s) are for real-time presentation of the
multimedia and geographical position data to a user via a browser
application.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is
carried by a user in a backpack.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia is captured with
data capture sensors embedded in a pair of eyeglasses, the data
capture sensors being operatively coupled to the portable computing
device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia represents what is
seen and/or heard by a user carrying the portable computing
device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the webpage(s) allow a user to
navigate to a presentation of the multimedia and the geographical
position data.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the presentation includes an
odometer displaying a distance over which the multimedia has been
acquired in a broadcast session.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein a multimedia player presents the
multimedia, and wherein a map view of a region indicates where the
multimedia is being captured.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein a webpage control allows a user
to change the map view to each of a street view, a satellite view,
and a hybrid view.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the map view comprises a capture
path to indicate a route where the multimedia has been acquired
over time.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the map view comprises an icon
indicating a current location where the multimedia is being
acquired in real-time.
11. A tangible computer-readable medium comprising computer-program
instructions executable by a processor, the computer-program
instructions when executed by the processor for performing
operations including: receiving multimedia and geographical
position data, the geographical position data corresponding to
multiple locations where the multimedia is being captured in
real-time; updating webpage(s) of a hosted web site with the
multimedia and the geographical position data; responsive to
receiving a request from a remote computing device to access the
hosted web site, communicating information for presentation of one
or more of the webpage(s) to the remote computer; and responsive to
receiving one or more requests to present one or more of the
multimedia and the geographical data: streaming the multimedia for
real-time presentation to an end-user, the real-time presentation
being on a webpage of the webpage(s); and communicating the
geographical position data for real-time display to the end-user of
user interface elements associated with the geographical position
data on a webpage of the webpage(s).
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the
multimedia represents what is seen and/or heard by a user carrying
a portable computing device to each of the multiple locations.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the real-time
display includes an odometer displaying a distance over which the
multimedia has been acquired at each of the multiple locations.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein a page of the
webpage(s) includes a map view of a geographical region to indicate
where the multimedia has been and is being captured.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the page
includes a user interface control to allow the end-user to change
the map view to a street view, a satellite view, and a hybrid
view.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the map view
comprises a capture path to indicate a route where the multimedia
was acquired over time and where the multimedia is currently being
acquired.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the map view
comprises an icon indicating a current location where the
multimedia is being acquired in real-time.
18. A portable computing device comprising: a processor; and a
memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising
computer-program instructions executable by the processor for
performing steps comprising: capturing multimedia, the multimedia
representing what is being viewed by an entity carrying the
portable computing device at multiple different geographical
locations; acquiring global positioning data identifying respective
ones of the multiple different geographical locations;
communicating the multimedia and the global positioning data to a
web site server to update webpage(s) of a web site; and wherein the
webpage(s) are for real-time presentation of the multimedia and
global positioning data to a user via a browser application.
19. The portable computing device of claim 18, wherein the
multimedia is captured with data capture sensors embedded in a pair
of eyeglasses, the data capture sensors being operatively coupled
to the portable computing device.
20. The portable computing device of claim 18, wherein the
webpages(s) comprise: an odometer displaying a distance over which
the multimedia has been acquired in a broadcast session; a
multimedia player to present the multimedia; a map view of a region
indicates where the multimedia is being captured, the map view
including a capture path and an icon, the capture path indicating a
route where the multimedia has been acquired over time, the icon
displaying a current location where the multimedia is being
acquired in real-time; and a webpage control to allow a user to
change the map view to each of a street view, a satellite view, and
a hybrid view.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/743,377, filed on Feb. 28, 2006,
titled "Web Site Mobile Updating and Interface," hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] While a provider is acquiring multimedia, the multimedia is
commonly streamed for receipt and presentation to end-users. A
webcast, which is typically associated with non-interactive linear
streams or live events, generally uses streaming media technology
to take a single content source and distribute it to many
simultaneous listeners/viewers. The ability to webcast using
inexpensive and accessible technology has allowed independent media
to flourish. Often produced by average citizens in their homes or
from production studios, webcasts cover many interests and topics.
There are many notable independent shows, presentations, seminars,
etc., that broadcast regularly online.
SUMMARY
[0003] Systems and methods for mobile webcasting of multimedia and
geographic position for a real-time web log are described. In one
aspect, the systems and methods capture multimedia at multiple
consecutive geographical locations during a web logging session.
The systems and methods also acquire geographical position data
corresponding to multiple geographical positions or locations where
the multimedia was and is currently being captured. The systems and
methods communicate the multimedia and geographical position data
to a central server to update webpage(s) of a web site. An end-user
interfacing with a web site browser application accesses the
webpage(s) for real-time presentation of the multimedia and
geographical position data.
[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form,
a selection of concepts that are further described below in the
detailed description. This Summary is not intended to identify key
features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] In the Figures, the left-most digit of a component reference
number identifies the particular Figure in which the component
first appears.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system for mobile webcasting of
multimedia and geographic position for a real-time web log,
according to one embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary webpage for a "As Seen by
<name, symbol, etc., here>" or "Where's It Happening" user
interface (UI) presented by a web site, according to one
embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows another webpage for a "As Seen by <name,
symbol, etc., here>", or a "Where's It Happening" UI associated
with a web site, according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary procedure for mobile webcasting of
multimedia and geographic position for a real-time web log by a
portable computing device, according to one implementation.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary procedure for mobile webcasting of
multimedia and geographic position for a real-time web log by a web
server, according to one implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0011] Conventional webcasting is typically restricted to a single
location, for example, in a home or studio environment. In
contrast, the following described systems and methods for mobile
webcasting of real-time multimedia and geographic position allow a
user to generate and present a portable web log conveying what is
actually being seen, or otherwise experienced, by the user at any
time as the user is traveling from one geographical location to
another. Specifically, the systems and methods provide the user
with sensors to capture multimedia (audio and video) and
geographical position data (e.g., latitude and longitude and/or
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates) indicating where
the multimedia is being acquired at any one moment in time. The
systems and methods wirelessly communicate the captured data to a
central server to update webpage(s) of a real-time web log
presented by a web site. An end-user (viewer) interfacing with a
web site browser application accesses the webpage(s) to determine
whether real-time presentation of the captured data is currently
available. If this presentation is available, the end-user may view
the captured multimedia and geographical position data in
real-time. In one implementation, one webpage (or more) of the
real-time web log presents configurable map views (e.g., a street,
satellite, and/or hybrid map view) that show a viewer where the
user (the "web logger") has traveled during a current web logging
session, and from which location the web logger is currently
webcasting.
An Exemplary System
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 for mobile webcasting
of multimedia and geographical position for a real-time web log,
according to one embodiment. In this implementation, FIG. 1
includes, for example, a computing device 102 coupled across
network 104 to central server 106 and remote computing device 108.
In this implementation, computing device 102 is a portable
computing device such as a laptop computer, a small-form
factor-computing device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA),
etc., that can be carried by a user. In this implementation, for
example, computing device 102 is a laptop computer that is carried,
for example, in a backpack by the user. Central server computing
device 106 and remote computing device 108 represent, for example,
any one or more of a server, a general-purpose computing device
such as a personal computer (PC), a laptop, a mobile computing
device, and/or so on. Whereas computing device 102 is a portable
computing device, there is no such constraint for central server
106 and remote computing device 108.
[0013] Each computing device 102, 106, and 108 respectively
includes one or more processors coupled to system memory comprising
computer-program modules executable by respective ones of the
processor(s). Such system memory also includes program data
generated and/or used by respective ones of the computer-program
instructions during program module execution. For example,
computing device 102 includes one or more processors 110 coupled to
system memory 112 representing volatile random access memory (RAM)
and non-volatile read-only memory (ROM). System memory 112 includes
program modules 114 comprising computer-program instructions
executable by processor(s) 110. System memory 112 also includes
program data 116 generated and/or used by respective ones of the
computer-program instructions during program module execution. In
this implementation, for example, program models 114 include mobile
capture module 118 and other program models 120 such as an
operating system, network communication module, a data streaming
application, global positioning system application(s), and/or so
on. Exemplary operations for program modules 114 are now
described.
[0014] Mobile capture module 118 is coupled to one or more data
capture sensors 124 for capturing multimedia. For purposes of
exemplary illustration, such captured multimedia is shown as a
respective portion of "captured data" 122. In this implementation,
for example, data capture sensors 124 include audio and video
sensors for capturing video and audio data as a user travels to
various geographical locations. Such sensors 124 represent, for
example, optical sensors associated with a digital camera, optical
sensors embedded in a pair of eyeglasses or other wearable item, a
microphone, and/or so on. Techniques for capturing multimedia
content using optical and/or audio sensors are known. Responsive to
capture of multimedia (a respective portion of captured data 122)
at various different geographical occasions by a user (a "web
logger") via mobile capture module 118, mobile capture module 118
automatically communicates captured data 122 along with additional
information (e.g., geographic location information, text, etc.)
across network 104 to central server 106. In one implementation,
the user inputs arbitrary text data into the portable computing
device 102 for communication to central server 106 and subsequent
presentation, for example, on a banner (e.g., a rolling banner,
etc.) on a webpage. Such text input can be via one or more I/O
devices 123 such as a keyboard, a voice recognition
computer-program, etc.
[0015] In this implementation, computing device 102 communicates or
streams captured data 122, geographical position data (respective
portions of program data 116) and any other data for presentation
to a viewer (e.g., text, etc.) to central server 106 using a
network interface, for example, a network interface card. Exemplary
computer-executable instructions for such network communication and
streaming interface(s) are shown, for example, as respective
portions of "other program modules" 120. In this implementation,
computing device 102 communicates at least the captured multimedia
122 to central server 106 using wireless communications over
network 104.
[0016] Responsive to receiving captured data 122 and additional
information such as GPS-based location information, broadcast
duration, banner text, and/or so on, from computing device 102,
central server 106 updates webpage(s) 126 of website 128 in
real-time. Exemplary visual aspects of webpage(s) 128 are described
below in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 (please see the section titled
"An Exemplary User Interface"). A user of remote computing device
108 interfaces with browser application 130 to send a request (a
respective request 132) to central server 106, and thereby, access
(e.g., via a URI such as a URL) web site 126 and present webpage(s)
126 to a viewer. Responsive to receiving the request, central
server 106 communicates webpage(s) 126 (e.g., via HTTP and HTML) to
the requesting browser 130. In this implementation, webpage(s) 126
represent a "Where's It Happening?" or "Where's<the user>"
UI, where "<the user>" represents a name, moniker, symbol,
etc. associated with an entity capturing data 122. The specific
name(s) or titles provided for these UI are exemplary, informative,
and arbitrary. In this implementation, the user navigates
webpage(s) 126 to play or stream multimedia portions of captured
data 122 from central server 106 for viewing. Remote computing
device 108 is coupled to one or more I/O devices 134 such as a
display device, speakers, and/or so on, for presenting the
multimedia portions and other corresponding information from
webpage(s) 126 to the user.
[0017] In one implementation, and to show a viewer where captured
data 122 is being acquired in real-time, computing device 102 is
operatively coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) component.
For purposes of exemplary illustration, a respective portion of
data capture sensors 124 represents an on-board GPS component or a
GPS component otherwise operatively coupled (e.g., via wireless
communication, etc.) to computing device 102. For example, in one
implementation, the GPS component is carried by a person that is
geographically near computing device 102. The GPS component
communicates GPS information (location coordinates, etc.) to
computing device 102 for uploading to central server 106.
Responsive to receiving such GPS information, central server 106
updates location data and corresponding information associated with
webpage(s).
An Exemplary User Interface
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary webpage 128 for a "As Seen by
<name, symbol, etc., here>" or "Where's It Happening" UI
presented by webpage(s) 128, according to one embodiment. The term
"< . . . >", in the phrase "As Seen by <name, symbol,
etc., here>," represents a name, moniker, symbol etc. associated
with the particular entity (e.g., a person, animal, robot, etc.)
that is in close proximity to captured data 122 acquiring
operations. A person in "close proximity" to such operations can
be, for example, the actual individual operating data capture
sensors 124 to obtain multimedia for presentation on webpage 128,
or a person in the same geographical location as a different entity
operating data capture sensors 124 to obtain the multimedia. For
purposes of exemplary illustration and description, the left-most
numeral of a reference number indicates the first figure in the
drawings where the particular component, operation or aspect was
introduced. For example, the left-most numeral of webpage 128 is a
"1," which indicates that webpage 128 is the same component that
was introduced and described with respect to FIG. 1.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, webpage 128 represents an exemplary
home page of web site 126, although such a webpage could also
represent a different webpage other than the home page of web site
126. In this implementation, for example, webpage 128 includes at
least a UI component 202 that indicates to a viewer whether
captured data 122 is being acquired at that moment for
communication in real time (i.e., as it is acquired) to central
server 106 for presentation to a viewer via another webpage 128 of
web site 126 (e.g., please see FIG. 3). In one implementation, for
example, UI component 202 is an icon or full-sized image shaped
like a television set, display monitor, video camera, etc. As shown
in this example, component 202 presents an indication 204 (e.g.,
"on" or "off") of whether captured data 122 is actively being
acquired, and thereby, provides a viewer with a real-time
multimedia/information receiving and updating status. When status
associated with the component 204 indicates that the web site 126
is being updated in real time (i.e., with captured data 122, GPS
information, etc.), in this implementation, the viewer can select
object 202 or 204 to navigate to another webpage 128 to view
captured data 122, etc.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows another webpage 128 for a "As Seen by <name,
symbol, etc., here>," or a "Where's It Happening" UI associated
with web site 126, according to one embodiment. In this exemplary
implementation, this webpage of web site 126 illustrates: [0021] An
exemplary multimedia (audio and video) player 302 for presenting
captured data 122 (FIG. 1) to a viewer. [0022] Presented video
content 304 (a respective reconstructed portion of captured data
122). Although this example of presented video content 304 is shown
as a white region, it can be appreciated that presented video 304
characterizes a reconstructed sequence of still images representing
scenes in motion. [0023] A view 306 showing a geographical area
indicating where captured data 122 is being acquired. Although this
example illustrates a street map view, such an area can also be
illustrated with other backdrops such as a satellite (remote image
based) view or a hybrid view (i.e., a satellite image annotated
with street names, etc.). In this implementation, button controls
respectively titled "Map," "Satellite," and "Hybrid" allow a viewer
to toggle between respective ones of a map view, a satellite view,
and a hybrid view. [0024] A current position or location 308
indicating where the multimedia 122 is being captured at that
particular time within the view area (e.g., within a street map,
satellite or hybrid view). In this example, the current location
308 is a teardrop icon annotated with a letter "D" pointing to the
corner of MacDougal Street and West 4th Street on a street map,
wherein "D" represents "Dave"--the entity (in this example) that is
acquiring captured data 122. [0025] A capture path 310 showing a
route where captured data 122 has been acquired over time,
including where captured data 122 is currently being acquired. In
this implementation, path 310 is a dotted line that ends at current
position/location 308; and [0026] An odometer 310 indicating a
distance over which captured data 122 has been acquired in a
current broadcast session. A broadcast session refers to actions of
acquiring and uploading captured data and other information (e.g.,
GPS data, etc.) to central server 106 for an arbitrary amount of
time for presentation to a user via web site 126. In this
implementation, odometer 310 shows that "since <a start
broadcast time>," "<a particular entity> has traveled N
miles"; the particular entity acquiring captured data 122 for
uploading and presenting to a user via the web site 126. As a
user/entity travels with computing device 102, captured data 122
and GPS information is communicated to central server 106,
responsive to which central server 106 updates indications 306
through 312 for web site 126, accordingly.
Exemplary Procedure
[0027] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary procedure 400 for mobile
webcasting of multimedia and geographic position for a real-time
web log, according to one implementation. In one implementation,
operations of procedure 400 are implemented by respective program
modules 114 of computing device 102 of FIG. 1. For purposes of
exemplary illustration and description, the operations of procedure
300 are described with respect to the components and various
aspects of FIGS. 1 through 3. In this description, the left-most
numeral of a component/operation (step) reference number represents
the figure in which the component/operation was first
introduced.
[0028] Operations of block 402 capture multimedia (respective
portions of captured data 122) with a portable computing device 102
at multiple geographical locations (e.g., please see the travel
path 310 of FIG. 3). In one implementation, for example, the
portable computing device is carried by a user, for example, in a
backpack. The multimedia is captured with data capture sensors 124
embedded, for example, in a pair of eyeglasses, a digital video
camera, or any one or more portable video and audio capture
devices. The captured multimedia represents what is seen, or
otherwise experienced (e.g., heard), by the user at the multiple
geographical locations during one or more consecutive/sequential
broadcast sessions.
[0029] Operations of block 404 acquire geographical data
corresponding to the multiple locations where the multimedia is
being captured. Such geographical data is shown, in one
implementation, as a respective portion of captured data 122. In
another implementation, such geographical data is shown as
respective portion of "other program data" 138. In one
implementation, the geographical data is acquired by a GPS device
directly coupled or remotely coupled to the portable computing
device 102.
[0030] Operations of block 406 communicate the multimedia and
geographical position data to a central server 106 (a Web server)
to update webpage(s) 126 of the website 128 for real-time
presentation of the multimedia and geographical position data to
the user via a browser application 130. In one implementation, a
webpage 126 includes odometer 312 displaying distance information
associated with a travel-path over which the multimedia has been
captured. In one implementation, the odometer display 312 is
text-based. In another implementation, the odometer display 312 is
based on a graphic. The webpage 126 may also present a map view 306
of a region indicating where the multimedia is being captured over
time. Such a map view may present, for example, a street map, a
satellite image of the region, and/or a hybrid view of the region
(e.g., a satellite image annotated with text indicating streets,
etc.). Additionally, webpage 126, in one implementation, includes a
capture path 310 identifying a route associated with multimedia
acquisition operations over time.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary procedure 500 for mobile
webcasting of real-time multimedia and geographic position data for
a real-time web log, according to one implementation. In one
implementation, operations of procedure 500 are implemented by
respective program modules of a central server 106 of FIG. 1. For
purposes of exemplary illustration and description, the operations
of procedure 500 are described with respect to the components and
various aspects of FIGS. 1 through 3. In this description, the
left-most numeral of a component/operation (step) reference number
represents the figure in which the component/operation was first
introduced.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, operations of block 502 receive
multimedia and geographical position data (e.g., respective
portions of captured data 122 and/or "other program data" 138)
corresponding to multiple locations where the multimedia is being
captured by a user in real-time. For purposes of exemplary
illustration, such multiple geographical locations are illustrated
by travel path 310 FIG. 3. Operations of block 504 update webpages
126 of a hosted website 128 with the captured multimedia and
geographical position data. Exemplary such webpages 126 are shown
and described above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0033] Operations of block 506 communicate one webpage 126 (or
more) to a remote computer 108 for real-time presentation of the
captured multimedia and geographical position data to an end-user.
For example, a well-known HTTP protocol is used to communicate a
webpage 126 described with well-known HTML syntax and constructs.
The multimedia is presented (e.g. via streaming operations) by
multimedia player logic associated with a webpage. The geographical
data are presented at the remote computing device 108 in a map view
306 representing a street view map, a satellite map, or a hybrid
street view/satellite map. In one implementation, the map view 306
is associated with odometer 312 displaying distance information
associated with a travel-path over which the multimedia and
geographical position data have been captured. In one
implementation, the odometer display 312 is text-based. In another
implementation, the odometer display 312 is based on a graphic, or
some combination of text and graphic. Additionally, and in one
implementation, capture path 310 is presented on top of map view
306 to indicate a specific route where the multimedia acquisition
operations have occurred (and are occurring) with respect to time.
In one implementation, for example, capture path 310 is a dotted
line.
CONCLUSION
[0034] Although the above sections describe mobile webcasting of
multimedia and geographic position for a real-time web log in
language specific to structural features and/or methodological
operations or actions, the implementations defined in the appended
claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or
actions described. Rather, the specific features and operations for
mobile webcasting of multimedia and geographic position for a
real-time web log are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing
the claimed subject matter.
* * * * *